Saving water at home
Water is a precious resource that we can all help conserve. There are many ways to make every drop count, from changing everyday habits to choosing water-efficient devices and appliances. These simple actions around your home can save you money on utility bills and help protect our environment.
Everyday habits that make a difference
- Turn off the tap when you clean your teeth or shave.
- Flush the toilet only when necessary.
- Avoid rinsing dishes or other items under a running tap. Put in the plug and use the rinse water to clean out recyclable containers.
- Wash the car with a bucket and trigger nozzle hose on the grass - and only when you really need to.
- Use a broom, not a hose, to clear driveways and pathways.
- Challenge yourself and your household to limit showers to three minutes or less.
- Fill the washing machine or dishwasher instead of doing half loads.
- Check the WELS rating or Smart Drop certification when you buy new products.
Outside and in the garden
- If you have a pool or spa, use a cover to restrict evaporation.
- Wash your car or boat on the lawn, and only after 5pm and before 10am.
- Water the garden using a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, after 5pm and before 10am.
- Let the lawn go brown during dry seasons.
- Plant drought-tolerant native plants that don't need a lot of water or group plants with similar needs together.
- Book a free water-wise and bush-friendly garden visit with our environment team to get tips and ideas for your garden.
Around the house
- Read your water meter regularly and check for leaks.
- Act quickly to fix any leaks.
- Calculate your water use and compare your use against the average in your area on the Smart Approved WaterMark website.
- Replace old non-WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) showerheads with WELS-rated water efficient showerheads - see 'Rebates and incentives' on this page.
- Choose appliances that have a good water efficiency rating (WELS rating). Council offers a rebate to Eurobodalla water customers on washing machines that are WELS-rated 4.5-stars or above - see 'Rebates and incentives' on this page.
- Replace single flush toilets with WELS-rated dual flushes. Council offers a rebate for 4-star WELS-rated dual flush toilets that replace single flush ones and are not part of BASIX development requirements - see 'Rebates and incentives' on this page.
- Invest in a rainwater tank to water your garden, flush your toilets, and provide water for your washing machine. Council offers rebates on some rainwater tanks, depending on the tank size and number of plumbed outlets - see 'Rebates and incentives' on this page.
- Learn about using greywater and your property.
Rebates and incentives
Council and the NSW Government can assist you with a range of rebates and incentives to help conserve water and energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
Rainwater tank rebate+
Council is offering rebates from $150 to $600 to customers when they:
- buy a rainwater tank with a minimum capacity of 2,000L (or two x 1,000L tanks)
- install the tank and connect it to the garden water supply. We will provide a higher rebate if the tank is also connected to toilets and/or the washing machine
- submit an application form with:
- a tax invoice showing:
- the capacity and model of your rainwater tank
- your name and address
- a $0 balance owing
- a receipt of payment from a licensed plumber
- photos of all plumbed connections.
- a tax invoice showing:
To claim your rebate, complete our application. You'll also need to read the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions:
Washing machine rebate+
Council is offering a $150 rebate to customers when they:
- buy an approved 4.5-star or higher WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) scheme-rated washing machine
- install the machine at a property connected to Council's water supply
- submit a completed application with:
- a tax invoice showing the machine make and model, your name and address, and a $0 balance owing
- proof of residence at the address (renters only).
By installing a water-efficient washing machine, you can reduce your water and energy bills. A water-efficient rated washing machine uses less than half the amount of water of an inefficient machine. This will save an average household about 20,000 litres of water a year.
To claim your rebate, complete our application. You'll also need to read the terms and conditions:
More information
Dual flush toilet rebate+
Council is offering a $200 rebate to customers when they:
- buy a 4-star or higher WELS-rated dual flush toilet
- have the toilet installed by a licensed plumber at a property connected to Council's water supply
- use it to replace an existing single flush toilet
- submit a completed application with a tax invoice for the purchase or installation of the toilet
- ensure the receipt shows the brand and model of the new toilet and a $0 balance owing.
You can claim up to two rebates for each residential property.
A 4-star water efficient rated toilet uses less than a third of the amount of water of old single flush toilets. As well as the rebate, this will save an average house about 30,000 litres of water a year on your bill.
To claim your rebate, complete our application. You'll also need to read the terms and conditions:
Showerhead exchange program+
Upgrading an inefficient showerhead can save a typical two-person household over $400 per year in energy and hot water costs.
Exchange your old showerhead with a high quality 3-star WELS rated water-efficient showerhead.
You are eligible for the program if your property is:
- in Eurobodalla
- supplied by Council's water mains system.
Residents can claim up to two showerheads and businesses or organisations can claim up to eight showerheads.
How to exchange your showerhead
Residents
- Bring your old (two star or less) WELS-rated showerhead and a copy of your latest water bill to one of our exchange locations.
Businesses or organisations
- Bring a copy of your latest water bill to one of our exchange locations and pick up the new showerheads.
- After you've replaced the showerheads, bring back the old ones within 30 days. If you don't, we will bill you for the new showerheads.
Exchange locations
- Council's customer service office - corner of Vulcan Street and Campbell Street, Moruya (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm)
- Batemans Bay Depot office - Princes Highway Batemans Bay (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 12pm, 1pm to 3pm)
- Narooma Depot office - Glass House Rocks Road Narooma (Monday and Tuesday, 8.30am to 12pm, 1pm to 3pm).
How to remove and install your showerhead
- In NSW, owner-occupiers can install 3-star water saving showerheads in their homes without using a licensed plumber.
- If you install the showerhead yourself, Council is not responsible for any damage caused by the installation. If you're unsure how to install the showerhead, we suggest you use a licensed plumber.
- To remove and install a new showerhead yourself:
- Make sure the shower taps are turned off.
- Use an adjustable spanner to undo the showerhead arm from the wall by turning it anti-clockwise.
- With the water still turned off, clean the thread with a brush or steel wool. Apply three to four rotations of the tape Council provided, tightly in a clockwise direction.
- Install the new showerhead by turning the showerhead in a clockwise direction.
- Use a spanner and a cloth to tighten the showerhead firmly, but do not over-tighten because this can crack tiles. Do not use shower arm to tighten.
Terms and conditions
- Eurobodalla Council is not responsible for the removal or installation of the showerheads, or any damage caused as a result.
- The showerheads are only available for installation at properties that have an authorised connection to Council's water supply system. You must present a water bill when you exchange your showerhead.
- The showerhead exchange program is limited to a maximum of two showerheads per residential property, and eight showerheads per non-residential property (contact Council if you have more).
- You must surrender your existing standard (2-star WELS-rated or lower) showerhead, and we'll replace it with a new 3-star WELS-rated showerhead. For non-residential properties, surrender your showerheads to us after you've replaced them.
- If you choose to take part in the program, we cannot return your original showerhead(s) if you're unhappy with the new showerhead(s).
- Please note that water efficient showerheads are not suitable for low pressure, gravity fed, and some instantaneous or continuous supply hot water systems.
- Eurobodalla Council takes no responsibility for plumbing issues relating to your property as a result of the program.
- Stocks of showerheads are limited and we will allocate them on a first come basis.
- To help ensure our sustainable future, we will recycle your old showerhead so the recycled material can be reused to produce various other products.
Free water-saving devices and installation+
Council is offering free installations of certain water saving devices. These include hose spray guns, pre-rinse spray gun heads, tap flow restrictors, and showerheads.
- The free devices replace existing equipment with higher flow characteristics.
- The program does not apply to new buildings or renovations.
You are eligible for the program if:
- you are a business or organisation in Eurobodalla
- your property is supplied by Council's mains water.
To register, please read and complete our Expression of Interest form. You'll also need to read the terms and conditions:
Learn more
- The Water Conservancy: Smart water advice - helping you save water
- Water rating: Compare the water efficiency of products
- Eurobodalla Council: Eurobodalla Council's water policies, practices, forms
- Eurobodalla Council: Eurobodalla water pricing and rates
- Eurobodalla Council: Answers to frequently asked questions about Eurobodalla's water supply
- Eurobodalla Council: Educational tours and resources
- The Water Conservancy: How to videos - 10 mindful habits and why use water efficiently?
Contact us
If you would like more information about how to save water, reach out to us:
- T: 02 4474 1000
- E: Council